They might be much maligned, but the offspring of the detested blowfly have an important role to play in treating wounds and fighting infections.

The Geelong community, including Deakin University staff and students, will get a chance to hear about the role maggots are playing in modern medicine as an example of the world-class innovation taking place on their home turf at a public lecture on March 29.

The free Harrison Lecture for Innovation, and the presentation of the Barry Jones Medal have now become annual events for the Geelong community. The Medal, now in its fourth year, honours an individual for their efforts in promoting Geelong as a place of world-leading research and innovation.

Entitled “Maggots and their Microbe Friends: Unravelling the Mystery,” the lecture will be presented by Deakin entomologist Associate Professor in Forensic Science, Michelle Harvey.

In a time of increased antibiotic resistance, Associate Professor Harvey is investigating the relationship between maggots and microbes to determine whether there are better ways of using maggots in clinical practice, and in countering flystrike in the farming sector.

“Forensic entomologists use maggots to aid in estimation of post-mortem interval and maggots’ love for all things dead is already being exploited in maggot debridement therapy to remove dead tissue from wounds and stimulate new tissue growth”

The Geelong community is invited to the Harrison Lecture for Innovation and Barry Jones Medal presentation.

The Harrison Lecture for Innovation, and Barry Jones Medal presentation will be held on Wednesday 29th March, from 4pm to 5pm at Wurdi Youang, 5th Floor, Geelong Regional Library, 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong.

Bookings online at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/harrison-lecture-for-innovation-tickets-...